The Final Inspection...

[Eagle5US]

My "little brother" (also an Operator) sent me this this morning. I thought it fitting...

THE FINAL INSPECTION


The warrior stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you warrior,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?"

The warrior squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you warrior,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

It's the Warrior, not the reporter
who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Warrior, not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Warrior, not the politicians
that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

It's the Warrior who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

[dennisw]

Good stuff! Thanks for posting poems and picture.

[ObliqueApproach]

Eagle, thanks for the poem.

The following poem by George L. Skypeck is in a similar vein. I laminated a copy of it years ago and carry in my wallet.

Soldier

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...a soldier.


De Oppresso Liber

[VelociMorte]

Nice poems...
One of my favorites is :


Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.